Hyderabad: The model code of conduct (MCC) in place for the three-phase panchayat polls, which will end on January 30, will affect development activities in the city.
Even though there is no MCC for Hyderabad district, the 625-sq km GHMC covers three other districts — Medchal-Malkajgiri, Sangareddy and Ranga Reddy — where panchayat polls will held.
Sources said that works on the Strategic Road Development Programme, 2BHK housing, Musi beautification and rejuvenation project and lake development projects would be halted as the government has not invited fresh tenders. They said regular maintenance work like road repairs, nala desilting and others would also be affected by the MCC. This apart, the civic body would not be able to hold standing committee meetings and general body meeting.
The corporation has not yet finalised tenders for work on a few lakes nor entered into work agreement with several others. Due to non-payment of bills, road repair works have slowed down. Bills close to '100 crore were due for work related to periodic preventive maintenance, for which funds should be released through the special purpose vehicle, Hyderabad Roads Development Corporation Limited.
The corporation itself executed road repair works worth '330.50 crore and has not received funds from the government. The HRDCL has decided to borrow '4,000 crore with the government as guarantor, but a decision can be taken after the Cabinet expansion. Even that exercise has been halted.
The ambiguity of the MCC is stopping officials. Sources said the GHMC could neither invite tenders nor enter into agreements for lake development project due to MCC implementation.
A senior GHMC official said that even though the corporation was sure that its projects would attract the MCC, it had written to the State Election Commission for clarification.
He said the GHMC could go ahead with ongoing works for which the tenders were finalised. He said that even though the draft Budget proposal had been introduced in the standing committee meeting, it could not be approved until January 31. “With the Lok Sabha election schedule likely to be announced in the last week of February, the corporation has to conduct a standing committee meeting to approve the Budget, have a discussion in the general body and send it to the government for approval. This has to be done in the 20-day gap between panchayat polls and the Lok Sabha polls schedule announcement,” the official added. He hinted that citizens would have to endure troubles until June, the conclusion of Lok Sabha polls.
